Freedom ROC/BLOC
The Freedom ROC/Freedom BLOC is a 501C3/C4 Black-Led innovative statewide organization that unites directly impacted people and communities to build a transformative base of power to achieve social, racial, and economic justice in Ohio. We build Black progressive community and political power through Healing-Informed Care, Voter Education, Voter Engagement, and Leadership Development by organizing within communities around key issues and candidates.
Program Lead and Instructor
Political Director
Participant Outcomes
Participants have a transformational experience
Participants have a better understanding of Power
Participants understand how to create a power map
Participants have a better understanding Government
Participants understand how to create community project
Program Description
BLOC University is the foundational program among the pillars of BLOC.
BLOC University is an introductory program for members of the Freedom BLOC.
This is a vehicle to build containers and cohorts for continuity and continuous, democratic learning.
The program is designed as the foundational and core learnings to becoming an active member with The Freedom BLOC and in black communities throughout Ohio. Education is central to all freedom movements, so in that spirit and legacy, this program is just another manifestation of past and current black liberation struggles.
Popular and direct education are the methodology of teaching and learning.
Why is BLOC University so important?
Program Values
We believe these are and have been urgent times.
We believe in collective action in addition to individual action.
We believe that capitalism is an agent of white supremacy.
We believe in organizing our resources, networks and families.
We believe there is enough for everyone to thrive.
Anti-Black Racism is a principal threat to our full participation in our democracy, freedom, and justice.
Anti-Black Racism intersects political, economic, and social systems that systematically (re)produce racially biased outcomes where whites are consistently advantaged and Black people, and other people of color, are consistently disadvantaged.
Anti-Black Racism, at both the structural and institutional levels, is how white privilege, unearned economic gains, and the artificial economic, social, and political advance enjoyed by white people is maintained in America (and across the globe).
Session Components
Module I
Black Citizenship in Action WEEK
SESSION TOPIC
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Week 1
Intro to Government
Constitution/Declaration of Independence
Week 2
Freedom and Oppression
13th & 14th Amendment
Week 3
Freedom and Oppression
14th & 15th Amendment
Week 4
The Response (Neoliberalism)
3-Levels of Government
Week 5
Tales of The Town-Akron
Understanding of Akron
Week 6
The Prize
Freedom ROC’s Theory of Change
Module II
Pathway to Freedom WEEK
SESSION TOPIC
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Week 1
Fight For Citizenship
Understanding the history of Black Citizenship
Week 2
Power of Organizing
Understanding the battle for “Freedom”
Week 3
History of Black Voters
Reconstruction
Week 4
History of Black Voter Suppression
Black Codes
Week 5
Why Black Votes Matters
Obama Organizing
Week 6
Application and Noticing’s
Building Community Power
POLITICAL EDUCATION
Mar 9, 2024
Mar 23, 2024
Apr 13, 2024
May 11, 2024
May 24, 2024
Jul 13, 2024
Jul 27, 2024
Aug 10, 2024
Apr 27, 2024
Aug 24, 2024
Sep 14, 2024
Sep 28, 2024
Class design: 3hrs
Powerpoint 30mins
Discussion 30 mins
Discussion engagement questions 3-5
Break 5-10mins
Music, questions, concerns etc.
Q&A 30 mins
kahoot, game, quiz 10-15 questions maximum
Video 10 mins
3-5 min video related to topic with discussion
Key Learning Styles:
Lecture (Auditory Learners)
Videos/Powerpoints (Visual Learners)
Q&A/ Kahoot (Kinesthetic Learners)
Reading Materials/HW (Reading Writing Learners)
Program Logistics
Six Class commitment
In-Person/Virtual cohort format
Every other Saturday for 3 hours/session, 11:00AM – 2:00PM
Virtual sessions require computer, camera and microphone
All materials are copyright-protected, proprietary and owned by The Freedom BLOC and Political Education Coordinator
Participant Expectations
Attend all Six cohort-style sessions
Complete homework and reading assignments
Missed sessions should be made-up via the following activities:
Review video archived lesson
Quiz completion
HW submission
Target Population
Black People, Low Income, Low Propensity Voters, Young folx 18-26, Students
Next Steps
Every graduating student will participate/design/run a campaign that (1) Educates our community, (2) Change the material conditions of working class people, (3) Change the power dynamics in Northeast Ohio and/or (4) Build grassroots leadership.
Program Instructors
Ciara Vinzant Political Director
Atty Imokhai Okolo Esq. Organizer
Djuan Wash Organizer